St. Landry democrat. (Opelousas, La.) 1878-1894, 1887-11-05
SAMOA.
Some Information About an Interesting
Group of Islands.

Some Information About an Interesting
Group of Islands.
There have been so many disturbances in
the Pacific ocean of late that it really seems
desirable to change its name if, as Mr.. W.
Shakespeare intimates, there is anything in a
name except an assorted lot of letters.
Now there is the Samoa trouble.
The Samoan islands are supposed to form
an independent nation. but recent proceed
ings on the part of Germany have reduced
it to state of CONSERVATION.
Two dark-skinned gentlemen were en-
gagged in the regal trade at Samoa until re-
Gently, each of whom regarded the other as
an offensive partisan, with unlimited guam
titles of gall and usurp On tap.
Their rival establishments were about ten
miles apart, and competition between them
ran high, but it seemed as though they must
have it.
One of the monarchs was named Malietoa
and the other Tamasese, but just now the
| formers name appears to be Dennis" 1t
was not changed by act of Legislature,
either, but by the act of the German COM
modore, who forced the king to dispose of
his crown, sceptre and other stock in trade
at reduced figure.
The American and English consuls at the
islands recognized Malietoa as king. and re-
garded Tamasese as poorly executed coun-
terfeit, but the latter had secured nickel
plated pull on the Germans by promising
that when he should become sole monarch
of all he surveyed they should enjoy peculiar
rights, and establish lager beer saloon in
every ward if they wished.
The Germans were very anxious for Tam
asese to be king, so on Emperor Williams
birthday they loaded themselves with en-
thusiasm and other liquids and inaugurated
q f1rst-class riot.
Malietoa neglected to suppress the dis
turbance, and the German consul fined him
$13, 900 for the neglect.
As the royal treasury at that time con-
tanned only So Is and a laundry check, it
was impossible to pay the fine, whereupon
the Germans decided that Malietoa's engage
ment as king should cease.
The commodore of the German squadron
had some dodgers printed and stuck on the
fence, informing people who could read that
the German Emperor had declared war
against King Malietoa, and that it would not
be wholesome for any one to defend him,
as the islands were under martial law.
1t looks as though Emperor William might
be in better business than declaring war
on low-necked group of islands. Why
doesn't he tackle country of his own size
ifhe wants to revel in carnage?
The English and American consuls imme
diately objected, but as the German ships
were there with loaded guns, and the Brit
ish and American navies were somewhere
else, the consuls protests were thrown into
the waste-basket.
Tamasese is now carrying on the mon
archy trade at his rivals old stand, while
Malietoa has taken to the woods.
The people of Samoa favor the decollete
style of dress-their clothes being greatly.
abbreviated at both ends.
They fesco themselves q sky-blue color,
and live in houses thaeshape of pumpkin
cut in two.
Rain is frequent there-the damp variety
as well as the reign furnished by the kings;
and consequently umbrellas infest the
nation in great numbers.
Perhaps the prevalence of umbrellas &C
counts for the fact that the missionaries
have been unable to eradicate the islanders
belief in the Anarchistic theory that every
thing belongs to everybody. 1t is said that
as soon as evening prayers are over the
people 60 forth to secure the next days pro-
visions from some one else's plantation.
Their respect for truth is so great that they
never use it any more than they can help,
for fear OF wearing it out. Prevarication is
USED for everyday purposes. while veracity
Is Kept strictly for important occasions, like
family silver
They think that by this means the small
STOCK OF truth imported to the islands can be
made to last q long while.
Nearly all the Samoan gentlemen practice
polygamy, which shows that the marriage
industry there is rewiving.